P.K. Hightower, who participated in much of County Council's meeting at the Aiken County Government Center via telephone from Hong Kong, wasn't on the line when the panel made its decision.

According to the ordinance's language, Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Kimberly-Clark Palmetto Inc. "acting for themselves, one or more current or future affiliates, and other project sponsors" would like to "establish and/or expand a manufacturing and distribution facility in county."

If that happens, there would be a "taxable investment in real and personal property of not less than $400,000,000," the ordinance states.

During a public hearing prior to County Council's vote, Jeff Hutter, who is the plant manager for Kimberly-Clark's Beech Island facility, told the panel that nothing had been finalized.

The "potential new investment is still being evaluated by our [company's] CEO and board of directors," he said. "I'm not able to divulge full details as far as what the future plans may be. However, once the project is approved for our site, I will be sure to touch base back with the county.

"The requested [property tax] abatement will help boost our financial case with our board of directors as we go through the approval process," he added. "It will help increase the chances for that approval."

Operations began at Kimberly-Clark's Beech Island plant in 1968. Products made there include Huggies diapers, Kleenex facial tissues and Cottonelle toilet paper.

The plant has roughly 2,000 employees, Hutter said.

Several other people spoke during the public hearing and their comments included concerns about the use of resources such as power and water by new or expanding companies.

There also were requests for more information to be provided to the public when fee in lieu of property taxes incentive is considered.

Just prior to County Council's vote, Vice Chairman Andrew Siders and Landon Ball spoke and expressed their support for the county providing an incentive to Kimberly-Clark.

"I'm for manufacturing and this plant has been nothing but a fantastic partner with Aiken County," Siders said.

Ball brought some Kimberly-Clark products to the meeting and placed them in front of his seat for everyone to see before making his comments.

"They employ lots of people in our county and those people support the small businesses in our county," he said. "This is a good deal. We're not putting in any new infrastructure. All this does is add revenue to our county. It adds employment. And it expands a great business that I would rather see in Aiken County than somewhere else."